<p>As a parent of a rising senior, can anyone give me info on the graduation week? How much time as parents, do we need to plan for graduation weekend? Any parent-only activities? Best places to stay that weekend? How far in advance to book hotels?</p>
<p>Funny you should ask. I just booked a hotel, but not flights. If you look at the academic calender it gives you the dates, I believe May 11 for the actual graduation date. I booked the Marriott in the Medical center area. They don't have the "Rice rates" in yet, but it was $119 a night at the moment and you can always change it later if the rates are lower. We booked extra nights, not knowing what when we would be able to fly down or fly back, but you're able to cancel some later.</p>
<p>As I recall, the only event days were the Friday and Saturday. On Friday, there is an art exhibition. There are receptions for the various schools in the late afternoon. The is a concert, reception and fireworks. This is the link for last month's commencement -- Rice</a> University | Undergraduates
It looks exactly like 2007, my son's graduation. The "Family and Guests" link gives nearby hotels with Rice rates. We stayed at a nearby Sheraton, because of their rewards points.</p>
<p>Honestly, I can't remember when I made the reservations.</p>
<p>At Commencement, the students enter with the oldest residential college entering first. I asked my son's College Coordinator where he would be sitting and from which direction he would receive his diploma. She then told us the best places to sit. Dress light.</p>
<p>You will be thankful that it starts at 8:30 AM. By 11 AM, it is HOT.</p>
<p>After Commencement, there are receptions at the residential colleges.</p>
<p>There are a few events for families starting on friday afternoon (department receptions, a concert, some fireworks), but attendance at those is really up to you (my family opted out of them in favor of a leisurely dinner). It depends on how far you're traveling from, but my family got to town early afternoon on friday, did dinner friday night, graduation saturday morning, reception at the colleges, quick nap, tour of campus and some other attractions nearby, and then left first thing Sunday morning and it seemed like a good amount.</p>
<p>We had a WONDERFUL time at commencement a few weeks ago. We arrived at about 3:00 on Friday, checked into the Marriott medical center (which has very, very comfortable beds, unlike the Best Western, and is only a block or two from campus), and walked over to the departmental reception at 4:30. There were free frozen margaritas, fajitas, other yummy food, a little speechifying and some awards w/ cash prizes attached. (DD got one of those :)) Then we all went out for real dinner at a Greek restaurant and arrived back on campus in time to miss the speechifying at the music concert but to hear the beautiful concert and see the fireworks. Grabbed a glass of champagne and lemon bar at the presidential reception following, also. Lovely commencement on the lawn Saturday morning, followed by a reception for graduating student workers at DD's Rice job (mozzarella, basil and tomato skewers, chips, fruit tray, yummy), then onto the res college for lunch (more yummy food and champagne toast. ) Naps, then we went to DD's prof/mentor's house for dinner, which was absolutely lovely and delicious. We helped kids pack up and left sunday morning. If we had stayed longer, we would have loved to go across the street to the zoo, or to visit some of the many museums on the rail line. We had a fantastic time at graduation!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the good information. The Hilton looks like it is the closest hotel, any comments on that site?</p>
<p>My family stayed there - nice, really large rooms and good service. Great location - you can walk to Rice if you don't mind the heat.</p>